OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Mississippi Health Services will be open to see Ole Miss students who exhibit flu-like symptoms over the Labor Day weekend.
The clinic will be staffed Saturday (Sept. 5) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Monday (Sept. 7) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. UM is closed Monday for the Labor Day holiday.
“We want to make sure that we are able to care for and accommodate the needs of those who have been exposed to the flu but develop symptoms while the university is closed,” said Barbara Collier, nurse practitioner and University Health Services director.
The decision to staff the clinic over the weekend is due to the increasing number of students with flu-like symptoms who presented themselves at the clinic the past four days. Wednesday and Thursday, the clinic saw 100 students with flu. Staff saw 40-45 students both Monday and Tuesday.
Those numbers – combined with cases seen last week and during the summer months – bring the total of flu cases to nearly 240.
“Although milder than seasonal flu, swine flu is more easily spread,” Collier said. “We really need students to do everything they can to keep from getting this bug. They need to wash their hands frequently and not touch their eyes, nose and mouth. If they do get this bug, they need to isolate themselves and stay away from other people, so they don’t spread it.”
For updates on swine flu at Ole Miss, click here .